I have scoliosis and I've tried everything for sore back and neck. Nothing has worked as well as the 5 Rites every morning before breakfast. I think #3 has helped me the most, but who knows. I'll leave the secret with the ancients. I do these every day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Tibetan_Rites
In addition to that, the usual:
- get my heart rate into the training zone (140 to 170 BPM) for 30-40 minutes 3 to 6 times per week (jogging, stairs)
- heavyhands
- shovelglove http://www.shovelglove.com/
- chin-ups, pushups, dips
- Hindu squats http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuyAdr4RKsY Do 500 of these every day and you'll be in the best shape of your life
That's it. I don't spend much money, but I do something every day.
Eating:
This is more (un)common sense that anything else. My 2 favorites:
http://www.soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020121horne/02...
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Live-Revolutionary-Formula-Sustain...
he didn't use any equipment. i was to sit on a chair, knee/shin next to each other. an assistant locks the knees by hugging using both hands so my body cannot move easily.
he then 'measured' my backbone and then stretched my arm, twisted my back based on his initial estimate and then do the measure-stretch-twist loop. it took him quite considerable force (he's sweating)
the whole process took about an hour and must be done in many visits (mine's 3), depending on severity
i felt better but cannot provide statistics/numbers; however, my cousin can. her father is a modern doctor who cannot believe ancient chinese methods. he took x-rays after each visit. he told me that during 2 weeks of therapy, her scoliosis improved from 40deg to 20deg.
i want to visit the chinese medical man again, it's been more than 2 years. there's no 'cure' or 'pills'. i believe if i do better pose i won't need to go visiting him again ... but i'm as uneducated as layman about correct posture so i always revert back to old problems
if you have resources on this please share. the hindu squat looks very tiring -- 500 of these in one go?
btw i'm now using stand-up desk (like a week or so) and my back, heel, ankle and toes are aching and cramping. is it to be expected especially for scoliosis guys? after feeling pain, i just sit for a while. i guess after a while i'll develop endurance
thx for the links